iPad Air (M3) Review: The Best Tablet for Most People

The iPad Air sits in the sweet spot of Apple’s lineup: flagship power without the Pro price. Here’s the full breakdown.

Overview

The M3 chip is the headline. It’s the same silicon Apple puts in laptops, which means the Air handles multitasking, creative apps, and even light video editing without breaking a sweat. For the money, it’s the most performance per dollar in the iPad line.

Performance: M3 changes the math

Stage Manager, heavy pro apps, and Apple Intelligence all run smoothly. The M3 makes the Air feel like a Pro for 90% of what people actually do — browsing, writing, drawing, and media.

If you’re upgrading from an older iPad or a budget tablet, the jump is immediately obvious: apps open instantly and nothing stutters.

Display & design

A bright, sharp Liquid Retina display with slim bezels. It’s not the Pro’s OLED, but it’s excellent for reading, drawing, and watching. Colors are accurate and it gets bright enough for most rooms.

Apple Pencil & accessories

The Air works with the Apple Pencil Pro, which brings pressure sensitivity, tilt, and hover — genuinely useful for note-taking and drawing. Pair it with a Magic Keyboard and it becomes a real laptop alternative.

Who it’s for

The Air is for anyone who wants more than the base iPad but doesn’t need Pro-level extras. Students, note-takers, and creators all land here. If you’re just streaming and reading, the base iPad is enough.

Verdict

The iPad Air (M3) is the best tablet for most people, full stop. It’s the one I’d recommend first.